Margined Leatherwing – Chauliognathus marginatus – also known as a Soldier Beetle, Goldenrod Soldier Beetle, or Leather-Winged Beetle (although it has been said thats the term “Goldenrod” is not correct as this beetle emerges before the Goldenrod blooms). Similar to Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus, but has a dark band on back of pronotum and not an irregular spot.

Identified by the brownish elytra with a dark spot at the end and the dark band running through the pronotum. Leatherwings, more commonly known as Soldier Beetles (although “Soldier Beetle” encompasses a large group of beetles, one of which is the Leatherwing), share a Superfamily with Fireflies. The adults eat pollen and nectar. Leatherwings are not considered pests and do not damage crops.

Leatherwings have a life-cycle of approximately one year, of which almost 11 months are spent as larvae.

Photo taken with the Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D and a Sigma 70-300mm Lens on July 2, 2008, in Davenport, Iowa.

The height of the population of these Margined Leatherwings has peaked here farther south, though I still see a few around. It won’t be too long until the C. pennsylvanicus start showing up.

Nice ID shot clearly showing the dash on the pronotum.

http://www.iowavoice.com Moe

I haven’t seen the pennsylvanicus before, so I hope he shows up soon. I’ll be checking your blog to see when he shows up in your neck of the woods, too!

Deb

I live in upstate NY in an old farm house and they cover the side of my house each fall – now am trying to kill off as they show up in the house all winter & I believe I have been bitten by one or two – how do I get rid of these?

http://www.iowavoice.com Moe

Are you sure they are Leatherwings? I have never seen any once the cold sets in. I don’t think their mouthparts are capable of biting humans, either. Other than calling an exterminator, I don’t know. Like I said, usually when the cold sets in I don’t see them any more.